Empathy is the ability to listen to people, relate to their emotional experience and let them know that you are doing so. It is the most important core competency for managers and leaders.

Developing the ability to understand people and connect with them in a genuine, meaningful way is a key determining factor in how effective you can be at influencing them, setting them objectives that motivate them, and rewarding them in a way they each actually find rewarding,' says Crossing.